New & Notable Chefs Head East to Wilmington, NC

Several new and notable chefs are coming to Wilmington, N.C., which comes as no surprise given the city was ranked one of Yelp’s 2022 Foodie Cities in a nationwide analysis of small cities with must-visit food scenes. These restaurants are sure to attract interest from across the country, and foodies should plan to take a trip east to explore all the new noshes.

Slated to open later this year in downtown Wilmington, Olivero will offer non-traditional, Spanish-Italian flavors of New Orleans inclusive of local, fresh produce and seafood, homemade pastas and more. It is the second restaurant from Chef Sunny Gerhart, owner of Raleigh’s award-winning St. Roch Fine Oysters & Bar and 2022 James Beard Foundation semifinalist for “Best Chef Southeast.”

Wilmington’s Lumina Station will soon welcome Kipos, the coastal outpost of prolific restaurateur, James Beard nominee and owner of Giorgios Hospitality Group, Giorgios Bakatisas. Slated to open late this summer, the elevated Greek taverna’s menu will lean heavily on local seafood and feature authentic Greek dishes such as moussaka, spanakopita and other beloved classics from the original Kipos menu.

CheeseSmith’s original food truck was no match for the growing crowds that began following its every move and causing it to frequently sell out. The two chefs behind the creative culinary concept put down roots in Wilmington’s trendy Cargo District with their first brick-and-mortar location. Featured in the Cooking Channel’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” they serve up a rotating menu of inventive grilled cheese sandwiches, complemented by delicious sides.

Wilmington’s culinary scene offers a diverse range of cuisines ranging from fine dining to local dives, and countless acclaimed chefs already call the city home. Dean Neff, named a James Beard semi-finalist, serves up sustainably farmed seafood complemented by local ingredients at Seabird. The delicious Italian cuisine at Benny’s Big Time comes from the mind of Chef Vivian Howard, a James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef Southeast, as well as both Daytime Emmy and James Beard award winner for her culinary show, “A Chef’s Life.” James Beard finalist Chef/Owner Keith Rhodes of Bravo’s “Top Chef” is behind the seasonal, fresh seafood at Catch. And manna ave. 123, serving innovative American cuisine, has received the AAA Four Diamond Award for multiple consecutive years.

Wilmington’s already flourishing foodie scene is heating up with new chefs and restaurants heading to the coast. Please let me know if you are interested in more information or high-res images to accompany a story.